In the landscape
Shade tree · Woodland · Childrens · Native · Night · Pollinator
Data sources
American Sweetgum
Liquidambar styraciflua · Tree
American Sweetgum is a fast-growing tree, hardy in USDA zones 5-9, that matures to about 60–80 ft × 40–60 ft. It does best in full sun with medium water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-dry soil. Expect yellow and green blooms in spring. It attracts moths, pollinators and small mammals, stands up well to compaction and deer and drought.
- USDA zones
- 5-9
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Medium
- Mature size
- 60–80 ft × 40–60 ft
- Spacing
- more than 60 ft
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-dry, Occasionally-wet
- Foliage
- Yellow, Orange, Purple
- Bloom color
- Yellow, Green
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Attracts
- Moths, Pollinators, Small mammals, Songbirds
- Tough against
- Compaction, Deer, Drought, Fire, Heat, Rabbits
- Watch out for
- Messy — drops litter
- Native to
- Eastern United States, Mexico
Will it survive your winters?
We score American Sweetgum’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.
Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.
More plants for your zone: Zone 5 · Zone 6 · Zone 7 · Zone 8 · Zone 9
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